Robertson House Fight
Last Casualties at Appomattox
| | Lee's Retreat | |
In the last clash at Appomattox, some of the men who fought here at the Robertson House on April 9, 1865, were unfortunate enough to be among the last soldiers killed, wounded, or captured in combat. A few were later cited for bravery in the final moments of hostilities.
Union Capts. Garrett Beekman and Robert Canse, 1st New Jersey Cavalry, were each commended for aggressiveness in leading a charge. Lt. Richard Darnstadt, wounded in the head, was among the regiment's seven casualties. With the 10th New York Cavalry, Lt. Norman Reynolds was wounded in the right arm and thumb. Capt. John J. Van Tuyl was captured during the charge but escaped en route to Lynchburg. Sgt. James L. Carey received the Medal of Honor for "daring bravery and urging the men forward in a charge." Pvt. Charles Mulertt attempted to take a Confederate battle flag but was captured himself and taken to Lynchburg. After being released, Mulertt raised the first United States flag over the city when it surrendered on April 12, 1865.
Confederate Capt. William J. Rasin, 1st Maryland Cavalry, seeing the Confederate line pushed back, told Col. George W. Dorsey, "We must charge them, it is our only chance." Dorsey responded with "Draw sabre! Gallop! Charge!" After the Federals in turn drove back the Maryland cavalry, Pvt. Herman Heimiller rallied the troopers to the side of Pvt. John Ridgely, color bearer. Pvt. William Price was mortally wounded. Pvt. James T. Godwin, Co. H, 2nd Virginia Cavalry, and Pvt. James Bailey were wounded, while Sgt. Robert W. Parker was killed. Either Price or Parker rests in a grave marked "unknown" in the Confederate Cemetery at Appomattox Court House National Historic Park.
(captions)
Capt. Garrett Beekman Courtesy John W. Kuhl
Capt. Robert Canse Courtesy John W. Kuhl
"Last Charge—Maryland Battalion at Appomattox," from Joseph R. Stonebraker, A Rebel of '61 (1897)
Capt. William J. Rasin Museum of the Confederacy
Sgt. Robert W. Parker Courtesy Bedford Museum
Appomattox Court House (3 miles to your left; you face SW) and Environs Courtesy Library of Congress
Erected by Virginia
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 12, 1865.
Location. 37° 21.89′ N, 78° 50.549′ W. Marker is in Appomattox, Virginia, in Appomattox County. It can be reached from Oakville Road (Virginia Route 26) north of Richmond Highway (U.S. 460), on the right when traveling south. Marker is located at a pull off on the service road south of Walmart. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 505 Oakville Road, Appomattox VA 24522, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont and in Central Virginia. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Robertson House Fight (here, next to this marker); The Last Positions (approx. Ό mile away); Eldon (approx. Ό mile away); Carver-Price School (approx. 0.8 miles away); Winonah Camp / Mozella Price Home (approx. 0.8 miles away); Battle of Appomattox Station (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Appomattox Station (approx. 0.8 miles away); Appomattox Campaign (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Appomattox.
Other markers no longer nearby. Carver-Price School (was approx. 0.8 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Winonah Camp / Mozella Price Home (was approx. 0.8 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Custer's Third Brigade (was approx. 0.8 miles away but has been permanently removed).
Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 737 times since then and 47 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on March 24, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide shot of marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?
